High school teacher nabbed for selling shabu in buy bust operation

DUMAGUETE CITY — A high school teacher, who the police had identified as a “high-value target,” was caught in the act of selling suspected shabu in a buy bust operation in Barangay Magatas in Sibulan town on Sunday evening.

Police identified the suspect as Roselier Catacutan Cadeliña, 44 years old, a teacher at the Sibulan National High School’s extension campus in Barangay Ajong.

Arrested with him was 42-year-old Rictor Cabual Ligo, who was previously convicted in a drug-related case; he was released from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City last March.

Both men were arrested at a house in Barangay Magatas that reportedly served as a “drug market” where Cadeliña’s customers would frequent to purchase shabu, Sibulan Police chief Senior Inspector Enreque Asonio said.

Cadeliña and Ligo were arrested after the former was caught making a shabu transaction with a police officer the poseur buyer.

Three sachets of suspected shabu, a P500 bill used as mark money, a wallet, and a black motorcycle were seized from the suspects.

The suspects are currently detained at the Sibulan Police Station and are set to face charges of violating Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Asonio noted that Cadeliña has a record of alleged involvement in illegal drugs, having been tagged as a “high-value target” by the Santa Catalina town police during his stint as a teacher at the Santa Catalina National High School.

He was among the drug suspects the Santa Catalina police planned to arrest during the launch of Oplan Tokhang in 2016, but he moved to Barangay Batinguel in Dumaguete City, the police chief pointed out.

A police investigator assigned to the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Cadeliña is also facing charges of child abuse involving a former student.

Asked why Cadeliña still continued to teach despite his record, the police investigator said the cases involving the teacher are still pending in court.

For her part, Department of Education (DepEd) Negros Oriental Schools Division Superintendent Wilfreda Bongalos said that as of press time, she cannot comment on the arrest as her office is still validating reports of the incident through their legal office.

Bongalos also reiterated that the provincial DepEd is conducting preventive measures to keep its teachers away from drugs, among them annual drug tests and anti-drug seminars. — BAP, GMA News